No. 9: Pete Cammarano POWER 100

March 26, 2018 at 3:00 AM

As chief of staff for Gov. Phil Murphy, the former Metuchen mayor will help shape priorities while simultaneously taking the point on their implementation and execution. Helpfully, Cammarano hails from a well-oiled Democratic organization in Middlesex County, and he hardly lacks for powerful allies outside of that power base.

Cammarano was also chief of staff for former Gov. Richard Codey from 2004 to 2006. A partner in the Trenton government-relations firm of CLB Partners, his other prior staff stints include serving as Cody’s chief of staff in the state Senate for a decade. He also was the director of public affairs for the Department of Insurance under former Gov. Jim Florio.

When appointed by Murphy back in November, handicappers of the new administration said the incoming governor was placing a safe bet by choosing such a savvy and experienced political player to oversee his executive team. That’s because Murphy, as a former Wall Streeter, came into office with preciously little experience in state politics.

True enough. Yet more important might be this: Cammarano knows how to get things done, and that’s a talent any elected official can use — as well as anybody watching from the sidelines looking to get in on the action.